Harendra Singh: “Mahadik’s injury did us in”

Explaining the defeat of India at the hands of Korea, Indian chief coach Harendra Singh opined that the injury of Dhanjanjay Mahadik did us in. India today lost the opener to Korea 2-3, despite taking 2-0 lead. India conceded three goals subsequently, two in the second half.

“Dhanjanjay Mahadik is the senior man in the defence. As long as he was there, we could maintain a system, which kept the Koreans in check. However, his injury sustained in the 31st minute spoilt our rhythm. I had to play even midfielder Arjun Halpppa in the defence”, he said.

“When our defence was good, we had the double benefit. We could score two goals, and the Koreans were struggling. Once that is broken with this key player’s injury, we struggled”, he added.

On asked such injuries are expected in a game, and that the team should have a plan B, he pointed out to the fact that Dhananjay was a key player and his role cannot easily be filled in.

“We tried both Vikas and Arjun. The point was not only defence but also scoring. I feel Sunil was in a position to score India’s third goal, but he missed. Had we taken the three-goal need, we would not have landed in the position in which we are in now”, he added.

Mahadik who got the ankle injury, came back to play, but it was too late, in the last five minutes.

“A draw would have been an ideal result”, he felt.